There is no evidence of anthrax on campus. But in the wake of national concern, Executive Vice President for Administration Emily Lloyd sent an email on November 7 to the campus community regarding measures taken to keep the campus safe, recommendations for identifying suspicious mail, NYPD procedures for removing and testing suspicious mail, and resources for additional information.

To date Columbia Security has received more than 40 reports of suspicious packages, none of which were determined by the NYPD to pose a threat. While the campus community should remain vigilant, people are encouraged to review the guidelines for identifying suspicious mail and inform Security should a package or letter coincide with the indicators listed. The email message follows:

We all continue to be concerned about anthrax-related reports in the country and about safety in general following the events of the past several weeks. Columbia monitors all of these developments very closely, is in contact with government agencies, and has taken a number of steps to provide for the safety of members of our community.

Security

1. We have added security patrols to our existing staff. These positions are mobile, meaning they are moving through their patrol routes several times in a shift. In addition, we have added one vehicular patrol to augment our presence outside the main campus.

2. We have established an information line at 854-4636 (4-INFO) to summarize available information about reports called in to Security. Given the number of rumors and misinformation being circulated, 4-INFO is a way to provide a daily update of campus incidents reported over the previous 24 hours.

3. Security and Parking staff are increasing the frequency of their spot checks of vehicles in both the SIPA and Engineering Terrace garages to assure that all vehicles assigned to these areas are registered with the Parking Office. We ask those who park on campus to be sure that your vehicles are registered with the office and that each car you drive has the parking sticker clearly displayed.

4. We are restricting vehicular access to College Walk to individuals registered with the Parking Office. Anyone with a specific need for parking who registers a vehicle must provide all information requested on the parking request form and have a photo ID to allow his or her entry. Incomplete information or not having a photo ID at the gate will result in a denial of access.

The 26th Precinct of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) has increased its presence in the neighborhood since September 11, and will maintain this presence for the foreseeable future. We owe much of our success with security in the past to our strong relationship with the Precinct. We plan on taking full advantage of this relationship to enhance the feeling of safety in the neighborhood and leverage our on-campus patrols.

The eyes and ears of the University community continue to be the most important factor in maintaining a secure campus. Please do not hesitate to call security at 854-5555 or, from a ROLM phone, x-99 should you encounter any unusual activity on campus.

Health and Environmental Safety

Columbia remains in regular contact with the New York City Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control to monitor the latest information and advisories. Our environmental health and safety practices have incorporated CDC recommendations promptly wherever they apply and will continue to do so should new recommendations (i.e., for protective equipment) be issued. Similarly, Health Services medical staff members have received updated training on anthrax and other biological agents and would work closely with the Department of Health and the CDC in the event that exposure or suspected exposure were to occur on campus.

Mail and Package Concerns

As you know, we suspended mail services for one day on Friday, October 26, in order to review our mail processing practices. We took this time to review CDC recommendations for high-volume, highly automated mail rooms and implemented changes appropriate for the relatively smaller scale of our mail processing operations.

We continue to monitor incoming mail, but, again, remind you that you are in the best position to assess whether mail you receive is suspect. Please remain alert for signs that might raise concern and report any suspicious package to Security. Security responds promptly to all such reports, turning them over immediately to the NYPD. In each case, the NYPD assesses the situation, makes a determination as to whether a risk is present, and arranges for any necessary testing. To date, Security has received 40 reports of suspicious packages, none of which were determined by the NYPD to pose a threat.

Important Phone Numbers

To report a suspicious package or any incident or security concern, please call Security immediately:
* X99 from any ROLM phone or 854-5555.

For a summary of available information about reports made to Security within the previous 24 hours:
* 854-INFO (854-4636)

For general questions about Security issues, please contact:
* George Smartt, Assistant Vice President for Security, at 854-3815 or gds1@columbia.edu.

For general questions about Mail Services, please contact:
* Ken Knuckles, Vice President for Support Services, at 854-6499 or kk256@columbia.edu.

Informational Web Sites

General updates from Columbia:
* http://www.columbia.edu/

Health-related updates from Columbia:
* http://www.health.columbia.edu/

Guidelines for identifying suspicious packages and what to do if you come into contact with one:
* http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/01/10/mail_services.html

NYC Department of Health Questions and Answers on bioterrorism:
* http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/wtc1hcp.html

CDC information about anthrax
* http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

Columbia's Health, Environmental Safety, and Security professionals, together with experts at Columbia and in the field continue to monitor governmental updates and developments. We will update our Web sites and provide new information to you as we receive it.

Emily Lloyd
Executive Vice President for Administration
Columbia University